“We were in free fall last year,” he said. “Everybody knows the economy is bad, but when there’s not customers showing up that would normally be there, it’s pretty stressful. A lot of us took it pretty personally like, ‘What are we doing wrong here? Where is everybody?’”

According to a report by the National Golf Foundation, the United canada goose outlet legit States saw a 2.9 percent decrease in rounds from 2008 to 2010. Data from the Colorado Golf Association shows that courses around the state saw an average drop in rounds of 7 percent from 2008 to 2010, and for courses in and around Boulder, a 12 percent drop.

While those numbers may seem small, they’re accompanied by a drop in food, beverage and retail sales that make an even greater impact on total revenue for public and private courses across the nation.

Cook was amazon uk canada goose forced to cut back on merchandise because the Internet and big box stores rendered his pro shop essentially useless. More and more people he saw were opting to refurbish and re grip clubs rather than buy new ones.

But the most telling comment he heard from one golfer was that it canada goose outlet 80 off was easier to find time to golf when business was keeping him busy. When he wasn’t swamped, he was working hard to find new clients, and had no time for golf.

canada goose uk black friday Though it’s still early in this year’s golf season, Cook and other managers are already starting to see signs of life on their courses. canada goose uk black friday

“We just held on,” Cook said. “People are getting busier and finding time to play again.”

canada goose factory sale Monte Stevenson has seen Indian Peaks Golf Course in Lafayette grow from its birth in 1992. canada goose factory sale

uk canada goose outlet During the 1990s, the https://www.kabbalah-arizal.nl golf industry had an “if you build it, they will come” mentality demand was high. Now, he said, there are plenty of golf courses, and fewer people than can afford to enjoy them. uk canada goose outlet

“Those were the golden days,” said Stevenson, Lafayette’s director of parks, open space and golf. “You don’t hear about a lot of golf courses being built, and those that are trying are regretting it.”

Indian Peaks has seen a 25 percent decrease in rounds since the early 2000s, when it saw as many as 50,000 rounds per year. But in 2011, Stevenson said the course anticipates 10 percent growth in rounds.

cheap Canada Goose This summer also marks the course’s last debt payment, which is “kind of like having a mortgage paid off,” Stevenson said. Stevenson hasn’t had to raise prices. cheap Canada Goose

canada goose coats on sale Indian Peaks hasn’t laid off employees, but just made sure to spend less. Indian Peaks suffered a small net loss in 2010, Stevenson said, but doesn’t anticipate any losses in revenue this summer. canada goose coats on sale

Canada Goose Jackets “It seems like we are crawling out of this recession,” he said. “People are taking their disposable income and they feel a bit freer.” Canada Goose Jackets

The course started a marketing campaign to attract tourists, a plan that uk canada goose store reviews worked, Stevenson said, because nearly 85 percent of play comes from outside Lafayette. The course also offers cheaper prices during non peak hours, and the Lafayette middle and high school golf teams use Indian Peaks as canada goose outlet their home course, both schemes to draw in more players.

Louisville Parks and Recreation Director Joe Stevens said he’s concerned about the decrease in lessons canada goose outlet shop at Coal canada goose uk black friday Creek Golf Course, and acknowledged that the city hasn’t done nearly enough marketing to recruit different generations and types of golfers.

canada goose clearance “On the margins is where we need to grow the game of golf,” he said. “Women, minorities and kids. We’re looking five, 10 years down the road. Where are those golfers going to come from?” canada goose clearance

Fairway Suites, a developer from Overland Park, Kan., has proposed to build a hotel on the course. The plan is still in the beginning stages, but Stevens was open minded.

“It’s a novel idea,” Stevens said. “It’s out of the box thinking. It brings another potential revenue stream, a few golfers.”

canada goose coats In April 2010, Louisville tweaked its canada goose lorette uk agreement with Western Golf Properties, the company that manages Coal Creek Golf Course. canada goose coats

Under the new contract, Western Golf Properties pays the city $180,000 to manage the course, plus a share of the profit after $1.8 million. The company keeps some profit, but covers expenses, minus water, and pays for capital improvements. The guaranteed funds have allowed the city to pay off more of its Coal Creek canada goose birmingham uk debt faster, according to Stevens.

Because Western Golf Properties manages a dozen courses, the company can often buy retail and food items in bulk to distribute across its courses. The course lowered prices for its loyalty programs, and offered those customers free golf during the winter months to try to keep them coming back. at $17.

Coal Creek has seen a 20 percent to 40 percent decrease in tournament rounds since 2009, mostly because they were hosted by nonprofits, groups that have been hit especially hard with the weak economy.

Stevens said because there’s less money for equipment, they’ve leaned heavily on the maintenance department. But he added that the course is around 20 years old, and soon will need a new irrigation system, pond liners and general changes to keep the course fresh.

Director of Golf Eric Jensen is employed by Western Golf Properties, and this summer he’s splitting his time between Louisville and the company’s nearby course in Brighton to save money. Coal Creek has fewer employees working non canada goose outlet sale toronto peak hours and has consolidated duties to increase efficiency.

canada goose uk shop “It’s a careful line to walk,” Jensen said. “As you reduce staff, you’re going to hit a point where you’re also reducing service levels. We’ve not done that, we’ve just found certain hours where we can be more efficient with bodies.” canada goose uk shop

Stevens added that the lack of a golf superstar has meant that broader audiences pay little attention to golf. Fifteen years ago, Tiger Woods was the fresh canada goose on black friday face of golf, but so far no one has replaced him.

Canada Goose Outlet “When he was on television, it captivated your attention,” Stevens said. “It kept golf more so in the forefront. We don’t have that currently.” Canada Goose Outlet.